The next system software update for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) system will be released on April 1, 2010 (JST), and will disable the “Install Other OS” feature that was available on the PS3 systems prior to the current slimmer models, launched in September 2009. This feature enabled users to install an operating system, but due to security concerns, Sony Computer Entertainment will remove the functionality through the 3.21 system software update.
In addition, disabling the “Other OS” feature will help ensure that PS3 owners will continue to have access to the broad range of gaming and entertainment content from SCE and its content partners on a more secure system.
Consumers and organizations that currently use the “Other OS” feature can choose not to upgrade their PS3 systems, although the following features will no longer be available;
- Ability to sign in to PlayStation Network and use network features that require signing in to PlayStation Network, such as online features of PS3 games and chat
- Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later
- Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under Settings)
- Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later
For those PS3 users who are currently using the “Other OS” feature but choose to install the system software update, to avoid data loss they first need to back-up any data stored within the hard drive partition used by the “Other OS,” as they will not be able to access that data following the update.
Additional information about PS3 firmware updates, including v3.21 (once it becomes available), can be found here:
http://us.playstation.com/support/systemupdates/ps3/index.htm
PS3 owners who have further questions should contact Consumer Services:
http://us.playstation.com/support/ask/
800-345-7669 (800-345-SONY)
Sony can hear me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!¿¿??
¡I want my money back!
I AM entitled to something if it is LISTED ON THE F’ing BOX!
I still have my packing and it says it right here on the box, “Other OS”.
I bought a PS3 on pre order, I don’t have much money and use the PS3 as a desktop PC in Linux and as an update for my old PS2. Now I have to buy a new PS3 or a computer. This doesn’t seem fair and I don’t think I am an ignorant chump.
To me this is B.F.S.. I can’t believe they are stripping away my ability to have Linux installed. I paid 500 dollars for this freaking feature and now Sony wants to take it away. Sony is you want to take this feature away then give me 150 dollars back so we can be even. Instead of fixing the problem with this security concern, you guys strip it away. So now you have upset your PS3(Fat) fans and friendly company Yellow Dog Linux. What’s next your going to strip our backward compatibility features too? We were the first in line to get your PS3(Fat). We paid lots of money for our machine. Now change your logo instead of saying it does everything, you should say it just a blu-ray gaming console.
i suppose sonys PS3 open platform website
http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html
will also be gone too.
Ahhh, I love it when someone quotes percentages. It’s almost like they think they know what they’re talking about.
It’s not just OtherOS that has been up to the board for removal. Remember the promise of PS2 emulation to allow full HD gameplay of PS2 titles on the PS3? Where is that? And even though they half-assed it with use of PS2 hardware in the PS3 (which only produced an SD resolution), that feature was removed. Then Super Audio CD was taken away, as well as fewer USB ports and no card reader on models after the launch. Geohot put it best by saying “The PlayStation 3 is the only product I know that loses features throughout it’s life cycle. Software PS2 emulation, SACD playback, and OtherOS support are all just software switches you can flip. It’s unbelievable you would go and flip one, not just on new boxes you are shipping, but on tens of millions already in the field.” And “Two things, some people seem to think CFW will enable some sort of piracy. It won’t. It’ll just be a custom version of 3.21 that doesn’t lose OtherOS support. Hacking isn’t about getting what you didn’t pay for, it’s about making sure you do get what you did.”
So, when will Sony reply to us??
#2279 you are the 1 starting crap , i have seen most of ur posts you are nothing but a sony ass kiss.if they can do this to us whats next, ppl like u make me sick always running ppl down. this is a open blog where ppl have the right state there case about whats going on . if u don,t like it get the hell off
I invested in the PS3 because it had all of the capabilities to be a complete electronic power house.
2006
1) It connected to peripherals via USB
2) It supported a wide array of media types
3) It had support for OtherOS
4) It served as 3 video game systems and a Bluray player (extension of 2)
And let us look at…
2010
1) From 4 ports to 2… Almost gone
2) All card ports gone, no SACD, flash support added, divx was added…kind of
3) If this is not an april fools joke, the end is nigh
4) Backwards compatibility gone
4 years ago when this thing came out it was so close to dominating every market. It was almost the cheapest and one of the most powerful computers available. What I really hoped to see was XP development for the Cell processor or other useful OS. I understand that this might have been costly and threatening to other businesses, but it would have been worth it and people still would have bought PCs.
Instead the vultures at SONY have been slowly picking away at everything that made the system cool. Now, 4 years later, they have the nerve to start advertising campaigns about how this system “Does Everything”.
No. Playstation 3
“It could have done everything.”
I don’t think Sony handled the whole leap year thing too well and now they are handling this situation even worse. Who is you’re customer relations guru, cos they’re not doing a very good job. To be honest I don’t use this functionality, but have always thought that one day I might. The 2 reasons I got the PS3 over the xbox was Blue Ray and other OS support. Sony has now taken that away from me. If you’ve taken this functionality what will you take next? If my PS3 fails on me one day (like many of my friends have had happen to them) I will be thinking long and hard about my next purchase, PS3 or xbox? At least I don’t think Microsoft will take away advertised functionality.
Sony is removing my posts about filing a complaint with the FTC.
Did you not realize that we have the right to do that?
But yes, this is your thread, and it is free, so you can control it.
But I will not let you control my PS3 that I paid $600 for.
I can easily say that I am one of your biggest fans since I got my first Sony Cassette player in 1989.
I can list off about $22,000.00 worth of items that I have bought from you over the years, from car stereos, boomboxes, shelf units, MiniDisc Players, DVD players, Computer components, CD Players, etc.
And i will probably keep buying your stuff…
But I will not let you take away our rights.
I can only assume that the decision to do this came down from some suit in Japan, but if they want to sell products in this country, they need to abide by our trade rules, our constitution, and show appreciation to the customers that keep their business running.
@Generalplot
Sure, the PS3 has lost features as it grew in its lifecycle. That’s not the problem. When people buy the PS3, they know what they’re buying. If they buy a version which does not have SACD, then they paid for something that does not have SACD.
For the first time, Sony is taking away a feature that was previously paid for. This is why people are getting upset. You don’t pay for something, only to lose features that you’re using. It does not make a person happy.
Removing the “Other OS” feature is a deal breaker.
I AM NOT a gamer, this was my FIRST game console; I bought PS3 as a Blu-Ray player BECAUSE it has “Other OS” feature.
I shall NEVER install this update on my TWO (2) each, Fat PS3 consoles.
I deem withdrawing “Other OS” a contract breach AND consumer fraud. I shall join and contribute to any class action suit arising from such action.
Aside from Other OS, everything else was removed to lower cost,FOR us the consumer. No one seemed to be buying the console when it was priced at $600 so they did what had to be done to sell it. Don’t like it? Tough, you should have bought it when it had those features (Other OS excluded given the issue)
**Join the fight on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=108684749155032
**Call SONY President Jack Tretton’s Office & complain!
SONY Computer Entertainment INC
919 East Hillsdale Boulevard
Foster City, CA 94404-4249
650) 655-8000
I filed with the FTC, and my state’s Attorney General’s office.
Way easy to do. :)
These are the only posts Sony is removing….they must be starting to feel the pressure. :)
LMAO at the guppy making up facts like that .0001% figure! I honestly can’t believe you are *happy* to see a feature go away. Even if you didn’t use it, your PS3 will still be less one feature: a feature that it came with and was even advertised on the box.
Here’s a real fact for you: Sony said they would not be removing OtherOS. Sony lied. Yet, for some reason, you are happy you have been lied to. You are pathetic.
**Contact the US Consumer Products Safety Commission to Complain:
1-800-638-2772
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Probably April’s Fool…
Sony don’t be so fool doing such a thing…
……………
Oh… wait… o.o
I never said it was a fact. So yeah learn to read. That is your own assumption that I claimed it was a fact.
And it was also NEVER advertised on the box, so again it shows what little you actually know. It was in the manual BUT NEVER ON THE BOX itself.
And I am the pathetic one? And you are sitting here calling me a guppy eh? Yeah that’s right follow the masses of whiners, you sheep.
Yes they did promise…and yes they did lie to us…but to be fair, it is SONY we are talking about.
On Fri, 2009-08-21 at 09:58 -0700, geoffrey.levand at am.sony.com wrote:
>> The feature of “Install Other OS” was removed from the new
>> “Slim” PS3 model to focus on delivering games and other
>> entertainment content.
>>
>> Please be assured that SCE is committed to continue
>> the support for previously sold models that have the
>> “Install Other OS” feature and that this feature will
>> not be disabled in future firmware releases.
No I have my box right here. It says “Other OS” right on it. I scanned it and faxed it to my state’s attorney general’s office at their request, to support my complaint.
Anyone who thinks that the rest of us are crying over spilled milk are either incapable or unwilling to shift their perspectives. It may be true that a relative few number of us actually use the OtherOS feature, but what if the shoe were on the other foot? What if Sony were taking away some (advertised) feature and that feature was one of the primary reasons for buying the system?
IMO this is a completely unscrupulous move. I’m sure Sony has its reasons, and they’re possibly entirely legit (from their perspective), but I think they’d be better off shifting that perspective into fixing any security holes rather than pulling the plug on potentially problematic (but advertised) features.
I’ve posted links for:
-Sony President Jack Tretton
-The Better Business Bureau
-State’s Attorney Generals
-Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The SONY forum MODs keep deleting them despite the fact that they do not violate the terms for clean ethical posting here. What’s wrong Sony? Not willing to be responsible for your decisions?
@Guppy
You should learn some comprehension of the English language.
“It still doesn’t change the fact that only like .0001% of the total user base even uses the stupid feature.”
You clearly stated that as a fact. You even used the word “fact”. And yes, it was indeed advertised on the box. I just checked mine to make sure. Perhaps you should go check yours as well (unless you have a Slim).
And yeah, praising a company for removing a feature that your system previously had and arguing with people who this feature removal is actually affecting is pretty pathetic. Just because *you* didn’t use it doesn’t mean it wasn’t important.
I just registered because this pisses me off. I understand that sony has a right to protect their products fine. You know what now that i paid $600 for something that lost almost all of its features is wrong. I want my compensation. I should be refunded at least $300 and that still isnt enough. Sony if you take away another feature than compensate your users its the only right thing to do
@DaKh
My point was that you expect as a product grows, that more features would be added to it. Of course I understand the difference between knowing what you’re paying for and having something taken away that you’ve paid for, but it just seems like backwards logic to lose more and more, and now as you’ve pointed out, losing something you expected to have available. The only “feature” that actually has been added (if you can call it that) is trophies and Playstation Home. These don’t really add any significant functionality though. The list of capabilities is getting shorter, which was the only point I was trying to make.
Ha, so I did. I stand corrected then. I can’t check the box, seeing as I don’t have it. Where on the box does it supposedly say Other OS?
@2347
How do you file a complaint with the FTC?
Also, could you post the photo of your box with the “OtherOS” featured on it? I hve the MGS bundle and it says nothing about it, most likely because space is taken up with Snake images.
@2354
How exactly did you pay $600 for something that lost almost all of its features? If you bought one of the original models the ONLY feature lost would be the Other OS option.
Unless you got ripped off for a slim I suppose.
For the people that say the feature is useless. What makes it useless? If it was so useless why did sony add it as a feature? To the people that use the feature its not useless. Adding features is always nice removing features that are advertised is WRONG! I am sorry this is simular to a bait and switch tactic. I understand that most dont use it but for those that do this is wrong!!
I just looked on my box (packaging) too, and it quite clearly states the ability of the PS2 to support ‘Other O/S’
I LOVE <3 my PS3, but this is a terrible decision that stresses my relationship and confidence in SONY products! How will I buy SONY in the future with any confidence that the product or service will not be significantly altered?
The fact that the mods in this forum have also been censoring my posts about what people can do as SONY consumers is also very disheartening.
Join the FACEBOOK group if you want uncensored information folks! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108684749155032&ref=ts
PS2 software compatibility was that not removed.
http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html other os!!
LOL Typical Sony BS. Remove features and then probably say it’s ‘for your benefit’.
Hopefully since I’m a PS3 slim owner I won’t have to update to this and have it take an hour to download on my connection.
oops, i meant ps3
Not if you bought an original system, and given your price point that seems to be the case.
I am, however, assuming you are talking about North America’s price points. I have no idea how much the PS3 is in other locations. So in talking about the price I very well could be mistaken.
Well cheapest gamer, if you do not update you lose access to the PSN.
Which honestly, for a supposedly non mandatory update is kinda bull.
It i totally bull. They try to cover themselves by saying “not mandatory” when in reality they have all of us by the balls. Typical corporate jargon.
you also lose access to any games or blu-ray that needs the latest firmware
@coreyfarkas: Indeed. I think the best thing to do would be to file a complaint with the FTC, at this point.
A great link showing the hypocrisy of this decision by $ony..
http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html
Bad move Sony, you just brought a ton of problems upon yourself. Hackers, government, lawyers, etc.
@n3utr0nRU: not sure but maybe the forum has a prevention for links and they are deleted automatically no matter of the content.
to the topic: I just can repeat, how can someone say the feature was not advertised when …
————————————————————–
Phil Harrison said: “One of the most powerful things about the PS3 is the “Install Other OS” option.”
————————————————————–
We need footage of the 2005 E3….
Where they explained all of the “awesome” features that have disappeared over the years.
I believe IGN still has it.
This better be an April Fools joke or they will have millions of pissed off customers.